Her Warmth

In her room, Lan is packing for the vacation. Though, there's not much for her to pack: just two training clothes, a white base dress, five pale-colored robes for the dress, and her valued dagger. The rest like her accessories, makeup, and necessities, are taken care of by her assigned maids.

As Lan packs, three small knocks are heard from the door. In comes, Liling in her bright blue dress with her hair in a half updo--signifying her unmarried status--adorned with dangling blue jewels, white pearls, and her jasmine ornament.

"Jiejie", Liling curtsy. "Aiya," Lan pulls Liling to a seat, "Liling-ah what'd I say: you are like my sister, you don't need to show formalities." Liling smiles and nods "Mm!" Lan pats Liling's head and noticed the jasmine ornament. Lan puts on a deep smile and points to herself, towards the only accessory she has on, the orchid ornament. "Jiejie put on the flower too!" Lan giggles, "of course," and lightly pinches the little girl's cheek.

"Speaking of, were you alright the other night? I didn't get to check up on you yet...Sorry if I scared you," Lan caresses Liling's face. Liling shakes her head, "No! I wasn't scared because I knew you would protect me no matter what!" Lan smiles at the girl, "Mm, jiejie will protect you."

On the night when Lan came to the manor five years ago, she remembers being excited to be adopted by Guang He and going to his home. But that excitement shifted to nervousness as just five minutes before arriving, she came to learn the existence of the rest of the Wei family. Lan was surprised as she thought it was only going to be her, her adopted grandfather and Uncle Jing.

When they arrived, they were warmly welcomed by Wei Guo and his family. However, when Lan curtsied in a Qiu manner to greet them, everyone was surprised to silence. Lan felt scared. She felt the air changed. 'They don't like me? Am I going to get kicked out?'

Lan slowly moved behind Wei Jing's back, almost letting a tear fall as she looks down to her feet. But the silence was quickly broken by a sweet child's voice. "Big brother?" A little five-year-old pulled Lan out. Lan indeed looked like a boy, wearing oversized soldier clothes and all. Guang He laughs, "Ling'er, she's going to be your jiejie from now on. Do you like that?" Liling gasps, "Jiejie? You're a girl? Sorry, jiejie!" She curtsied, "Liling greets jiejie!" and smiled.

Lan's tenseness was eased by Liling's warm presence. She then was pulled in by the girl who gave her a tour of the manor. Outside, Wei Guo and his wife greet his father and older brother. He looks at them with questions from his eyes. Guang He starts to head in, "Come in and I will explain." Wei Jing follows behind him and the rest after.

Lan was shown to her residence where she was cleaned and dressed up for the night by the maids. It reminded her of her time in the palace when her mother who went against palace rules and tradition and personally dressed Lan herself. 'Mother..' She started to miss her family. Lan held the tears, "You guys can leave. Thank you a lot for today." The maids looked at each other in shock as no masters have personally thanked them before...They all headed out to leave their new first miss time alone.

After confirming she's alone, Lan went to look for her dagger. She hugs it tightly. 'Father...Mother..' She silently cries. "I promise I'll come back to you.." Lan's vision blur as she let out the waterfall of tears with hotness rising to her face.

From behind her head though, she felt a small head patting her. Lan turns around to only see Liling there who then hugged her until she calmed. "Jiejie are you feeling better now?" Liling tilts her head. "Mm, thank you meimei" Lan smiles and reassures the little girl.

Lan made a promise to herself that that was going to be the last time she cries for her family. In stead of wasting water on tears, she will sweat to become stronger. She will protect her loved ones and reunite with her mother.

Liling's warmth made Lan adapt to her new home easily. Though a bit naive, Liling is always caring and kind towards Lan. Lan grew to see her as a real little sister whom she will always care and protect. In this cold, murderous world, Liling's warmth is rare and needed to be protected.

Back in Lan's room, Liling shows her excitement for the vacation, unknowing the real reasons for it. "Jiejie, let's ask grandfather to let us visit the town there. I hope it's as fun as the capital.. maybe even more? Does jiejie know? Have you gone there before on your trips with him and second uncle?"

Lans slightly shakes her head, "No I haven't, but I promise to ask for us to go again," she winks. "It's getting late. You should head to bed. You're leaving early tomorrow with your parents before us, so you're gonna have to wake up early. Rest well." Liling stands, "Mm! Goodnight jiejie!" and headed out.

Wei Guo had volunteered to get to their vacation home first to set up since their stay will be long. Little did anyone know the future that awaits them.

Lan changed to her nightgown and laid on her bed, next to her dagger, looking up. Until tiredness hits Lan, she began to think of how she could improve her skills. 'I have to protect them.'